Mayor Sly James announced Madeline Romious, Vice President at AT&T, and DST Systems CEO, Tom McDonnell will serve as co-chairs of the economic development strategic planning process. The new co-chairs will guide the new initiative to reposition Kansas City’s economic development activities.
“This is our opportunity to examine closely how Kansas City recruits and retains businesses and jobs. As we continue to try and align state resources, we also need to agree as a community on our priorities and position our local incentives to support those goals. I want us to be focused, creative and aggressive in our economic development activities. This process, led by the same consulting team that reviewed the State of Missouri’s Department of Economic Development, will put Kansas City in a better position to achieve success,” said Mayor James. “I am grateful that these two outstanding public servants and leaders have agree to chair this vital planning process,” concluded Mayor James.
Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Madeline Romious serves as the Vice President of External Affairs at AT&T. Ms. Romious is responsible for governmental and external affairs for AT&T in the Kansas City, MO area. She Lobbies local, state elected officials and represents AT&T in the civic and philanthropic community. Prior to being elevated to Vice President, Ms. Romious served as the Director of Cental Office Operations for AT&T. She earned her MBA from Rockhurst University and a degree in electrical engineering from Northwestern University. Ms. Romious currently serves on the Board of Directors for the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Tom McDonnell is chief executive officer of DST Systems, Inc., headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. McDonnell has worked with the company since March of 1969, and served as president from 1973 to 2009. DST is a leading provider of information processing and computer software services and products to the financial services, communications and healthcare industries. Mr. McDonnell was named Kansas Citian of the Year in 2003. He received a BSBA degree in accounting from Rockhurst University, and an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. McDonnell currently serves as Chairman of the Kauffman Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
